IN THIS fast-paced world, it is hard to just stop, relax and let time stand still. We are bombarded with a cornucopia of sounds, sights, smells and other external stimuli that we cannot run away from. Sometimes, stopping to smell the roses is just what we need to recharge before continuing on with our hectic lives. 

An artificially created sanctuary called a flotation tank can offer us a brief respite from the never-ending rush of life. Admittedly, this sounds very “New Age” as it has much to do with improving one’s state of mind. 

The main component of this flotation tank is heavily salted water. This gives users an experience akin to swimming in the Dead Sea where the salt content is so high that one can float on the water. 

While flotation tanks are commonly found in the UK, there are only three in Malaysia currently. And of the three, only one is available to the public. This service is offered by BE Urban Wellness, a wellness centre located in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur.  The remaining flotation tanks can be found at the National Sports Institute of Malaysia’s Sarawak Satellite Centre, which is for local athletes, and at a private facility said to be in Bukit Jalil. 

According to BE Urban Wellness general manager Balraj Pannu, its flotation tank is the i-Sopod, imported from the UK. The tank requires 500kg of Epsom salt, which is sourced locally. The salt is then dissolved in 1,000 litres of water. 

“The 25cm of super-saturated salt solution creates an environment similar to the Dead Sea, which enables the individual to float effortlessly on the surface,” Balraj explains.

This alien pod-like tank is large enough for one person to float in. Even its electric blue lights give off a rather extraterrestrial feel. In fact, the entire experience can come off as being very other-worldly. 

What the tank does, says Balraj, is deprive the body of a few senses. While in the tank, you can expect to temporarily lose your sense of sight, sound and touch, as well as experience a loss of gravity and, to a certain extent, time. Users are briefed on how to get in and out of the tank as well as what to expect from the experience so that they are mentally prepared. 

This form of therapy is aimed at helping you relax. It is ideal for those who suffer from high stress levels, high blood pressure and anxiety. 

“The lights will be turned off and when you are partially submerged in the water, you will not be able to hear anything. Since you are floating, you will also experience a loss of gravity and feel as though you are floating in space,” says Balraj.

“As the water is heated to skin temperature, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between the parts of your body that are in contact with the water and those that aren’t. This creates the illusion of floating on air,” he adds. 

First-timers may find the pod a little claustrophobic as it is a small enclosed space. But Balraj says the pod can be left partially open to accommodate them. In some cases, music is played so users feel more at ease in the pod. 

“This is a common initial concern. The flotation tank, the floatroom lights and door are controlled by you, so you can choose to float with the door open and the lights on. Once people realise they are in total control of the situation, their fears subside and most of them close the door and turn off the light,” he adds.

A session can take 30 to 90 minutes and is priced from RM150 to RM300. People are willing to pay for this experience because it is the closest thing to floating in space without having to travel to the Dead Sea. “The body is free of the force of gravity. This allows it to completely relax,” says Balraj. 

The experience allows the mind to enter into the deepest state of relaxation possible. “It reduces activity in the left side of the brain and increases activity in the right side of the brain, which promotes creativity,” says Balraj.

This means that both sides of your brain are in total harmony, he adds. “When you consider that we normally only use 11% of our total brain power, you can see that a session in the tank enables us to tap into a huge, previously unavailable source of creativity, imagination, self-visualisation and problem solving.”

Balraj says floating also assists with the removal of lactic acid from muscle tissues, as well as the removal of cortisol (stress hormones) from the body. “Research shows that floating measurably reduces blood pressure and heart rate while lowering the levels of stress-related chemicals in the body.”

Those who have old injuries or aches, especially backache, experience some relief as floating improves blood circulation, Balraj says. “[Flotation] is used widely in the treatment of stress, anxiety and jetlag, and to improve concentration and creativity. Sports performance and ‘winding down’ is also enhanced by floating,” he adds.

“During a float, you produce slower brain-wave patterns, known as theta waves [normally experienced during deep meditation or just before falling asleep]. This is usually accompanied by vivid imagery — very clear, creative thoughts — sudden insights and inspirations or feelings of profound peace and joy, induced by the release of endorphins, the body’s natural opiates. 

“Because of these effects, floating is used effectively in the treatment of depression and addictions, including smoking and alcohol. It is also used in schools and universities as tools for Super Learning.” 

Floating even leaves your skin feeling soft and silky, he says. It is also safe for pregnant women. 

“Heavily pregnant women probably get more relief from the float tank than anyone else. Just lying on a bed can be extremely uncomfortable for women in the later stages of pregnancy due to the massive gravitational strain placed on the body,” he points out, adding that like many other activities, pregnant women are recommended to do it only after the first trimester.

For those who are concerned about the cleanliness of the tank, BE Urban Wellness takes many measures to ensure that the water is clean. The water contains mostly salt, which means that the solution is sterile, Balraj says. “A limited amount of chemicals [also found in swimming pools] are added to ensure it is totally clean. The water is also filtered thoroughly after each float session.”

Those who wish to own a flotation tank can import one from the UK or the US for US$12,000 (RM47,069) and above. 

History of the flotation tank

The flotation, or isolation, tank that promotes sensory deprivation originates from the National Institute of Mental Health in the US. Dr John C Lilly developed it in 1954 and experimented on sensory deprivation alongside the use of the psychedelic drug, LSD. He studied human consciousness and its connection to the brain. 

Peter Suedfeld and Roderick Borrie of the University of British Columbia began experimenting on its therapeutic benefits in the late 1970s. Their technique was named Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, or REST.

This story first appeared in our new digital publication Wealth, a section within the new digitalEdge weekly. Click here to subscribe to our digital products for the next three months.